Rajasthan High Court directs 180 days of maternity leave for a teacher who joined a new school after childbirth

23 October 2026

Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand decided Pooja Yadav v. State of Rajasthan and Others, reported as 2026 LiveLaw (Raj) 444.
The teacher had been sanctioned only 34 days of maternity leave before her delivery.
She joined a new school in Khairthal-Tijara district on 6 October 2023.
The Court directed 180 days of maternity leave with effect from 1 September 2023 under Rule 103 of the Rajasthan Service Rules, 1951.
It held that Article 21 covers the right to motherhood and every child's right to full development, and that the leave period is not a break in service.
Child care leave taken by her was excluded from the maternity period and credited back to her child care leave account, and she was held entitled to full salary and consequential benefits.